crystal_reading's review
4.0
Made me laugh. The main character and friends all attend a Jewish school, but otherwise they are just fairly typical teens. I learned a little about the religion, but mostly had a fun time laughing with the main character. Coming of age book.
sandraagee's review
4.0
Hilarious. I might even say that I learned a little something about Judiasm between bouts of laughter. An enjoyable read that I'd quickly recommend to just about anyone.
One side note: Most of the swear words were "bleeped" out: F^*%, as an example. I can't decide if this was endearing or a little annoying.
One side note: Most of the swear words were "bleeped" out: F^*%, as an example. I can't decide if this was endearing or a little annoying.
lazygal's review
4.0
What a cute book, I kept thinking as I read. I know these kids... I know this world... how cute!
This story of Ari, who doesn't fit in (he's the beta to Jonas' alpha), has one goal: to be a punk star. Have some indie cred. There's a secondary goal of not going to Brandeis, but the punk rock star thing is paramount. Especially after learning a few chords at Camp Ramah.
So, Ari schemes and plots and convinces Jonas to join a band. Then he get Yossi, the weird, Talmud-addicted student at their Conservative Jewish high school. Yossi's parents insist (whether this is actually true is never established) that Reena, their daughter, also join. And off they are on a great adventure that includes an opening "gig" at a bar mitzvah, a foray to NYC's indie band scene (and the Battle of the Bands), and the battle between Sari and Larafromcamp for Jonas' affections.
As I said, I know these kids. Not just the Conservative Jewish part, but the kid part. Ari's voice felt very, very real (difficult to do with a 16/17-year-old character), as did those of the other characters. There were a few quibbles (of course) but I'm guessing most will be taken care of in the final editing process. One bigger question that wasn't answered in the book or in the credits: were the authors aware of, or inspired by, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes' 2004 album "Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah"
(NOTE: Free ARC received from publisher)
This story of Ari, who doesn't fit in (he's the beta to Jonas' alpha), has one goal: to be a punk star. Have some indie cred. There's a secondary goal of not going to Brandeis, but the punk rock star thing is paramount. Especially after learning a few chords at Camp Ramah.
So, Ari schemes and plots and convinces Jonas to join a band. Then he get Yossi, the weird, Talmud-addicted student at their Conservative Jewish high school. Yossi's parents insist (whether this is actually true is never established) that Reena, their daughter, also join. And off they are on a great adventure that includes an opening "gig" at a bar mitzvah, a foray to NYC's indie band scene (and the Battle of the Bands), and the battle between Sari and Larafromcamp for Jonas' affections.
As I said, I know these kids. Not just the Conservative Jewish part, but the kid part. Ari's voice felt very, very real (difficult to do with a 16/17-year-old character), as did those of the other characters. There were a few quibbles (of course) but I'm guessing most will be taken care of in the final editing process. One bigger question that wasn't answered in the book or in the credits: were the authors aware of, or inspired by, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes' 2004 album "Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah"
(NOTE: Free ARC received from publisher)
suzannedix's review
4.0
Hilarious!!! I just wish the content (language, partying) was tamer because middle school students would eat this up! I loved the mix of text and graphic novel.
Highly recommended for grades 8 and up.
Highly recommended for grades 8 and up.
sumayyah_t's review
3.0
A very fun and interesting book. Combines teen dreams and parental expectations with Judaism and rock n roll.
dlarca's review
2.0
Ari Abramson's life thus far has been lived in the shadows. The shadow of his super popular, ultra cool best friend Jonas Fein, the shadow of his parents ambitions for him to attend Brandeis University upon graduation, the shadow of...non-existence. But his junior year at Gittleman, a Jewish day school in North Jersey, is going to be different. This year he has a Plan to get noticed.
The Plan is to start a band. What quicker way is there from nobody to superstar? After some negotiation and conniving, the Tribe is born. There's Jonas, lead singer and bassist and provider of charm; Yossi, the uber religious nerd drummer; Reena, Yossi's younger indie sister on back-up vocals; and of course, Ari, lead guitarist and (hopefully) songwriter extraordinaire. Despite their differences and a few minor setbacks, this definitely-not-Motley crew has potential. Ari soon finds himself navigating the tricky waters of popularity. In this alternate universe, Ari gets noticed by long-time crush, Sari; becomes an idol to little brother, Ben; and must deal with mounting tension in his friendship with Jonas. So punk rock? Maybe...not.
In this prose/graphic novel blend, we follow the Tribe's rise to high school stardom and Ari's journey to self-discovery. So Punk Rock is a quirky, humorous read with a realistic voice, even if that meant at times the prose is awkward and sentence structure is non-existent. I would have no trouble recommending it to a reluctant reader.
The Plan is to start a band. What quicker way is there from nobody to superstar? After some negotiation and conniving, the Tribe is born. There's Jonas, lead singer and bassist and provider of charm; Yossi, the uber religious nerd drummer; Reena, Yossi's younger indie sister on back-up vocals; and of course, Ari, lead guitarist and (hopefully) songwriter extraordinaire. Despite their differences and a few minor setbacks, this definitely-not-Motley crew has potential. Ari soon finds himself navigating the tricky waters of popularity. In this alternate universe, Ari gets noticed by long-time crush, Sari; becomes an idol to little brother, Ben; and must deal with mounting tension in his friendship with Jonas. So punk rock? Maybe...not.
In this prose/graphic novel blend, we follow the Tribe's rise to high school stardom and Ari's journey to self-discovery. So Punk Rock is a quirky, humorous read with a realistic voice, even if that meant at times the prose is awkward and sentence structure is non-existent. I would have no trouble recommending it to a reluctant reader.
bookittome's review
4.0
Ari Abramson's most fervent wish is to be noticed. Especially by Sari Horowitz. His parents' only desire since his birth is for him to attend Brandeis and he knows that having an impressive SAT score won't get the girl. So he does what so many have done before him: Start a band. Culling his band mates from his Jewish school, Ari forms an unlikely but unique group, appropriately named The Tribe:
Yossi Gluck, the devout and socially awkward, drummer
Reena Gluck, Yossi's hip sister, lead singer
Jonas Fein, effortlessly cool, bassist
And then there's Ari. Armed with his Craigslist-purchased guitar and comprehensive knowledge of all things indie, he balances SAT prep with brainstorming song lyrics. His plan works - the band, after performing an impromptu rendition of "Hava Nagilah" (yes, really), becomes a hit and now they're booking gigs, and receiving classmates' adoration. But then the inevitable happens: tempers flare, creative differences abound.
Micol Ostow's So Punk Rock is part novel, part graphic novel. All great. It's an accurate look at all the cachets of indie-cool, from ironically worn "uniform" shirts, to earmarked copies of books by Murakami. Ari laments over Jonas' poor taste in music, snickering at his fondness for Fall Out Boy and other hot-for-the-moment acts. A note about the music mentioned in the novel: I always like when novels use real musician and band names, rather than inventing their own. I feel like it grounds the novel that much more in reality. With all the namedropping and musical terms, it's a mini-lesson in indie appreciation (Ari's screenname is ILikeLouReed). There's even a guide at the end of the novel to the musical and Jewish terminology.
In the midst of his need to be cool, there's another recognizable want in Ari: to live his own life. Saddled with his parents' high expectations, he hides his musical adventures even as his brother's coveting his autograph. The story of Ari dealing with the demands of parental obligations and his own life plans is a fitting background for the pitfalls of his newfound fame.
The illustrations, by the author's brother, David Ostow, both accentuate the novel and stand on their own. The panels depict the journey of The Tribe, and contain just as much wit as the text.
So Punk Rock (And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother) is a dead-on depiction of the hipster scene paralleled with the awkward, hilarious and frustrating minefield that is teenage life.
This review originally published on BriMeetsBooks.com
Yossi Gluck, the devout and socially awkward, drummer
Reena Gluck, Yossi's hip sister, lead singer
Jonas Fein, effortlessly cool, bassist
And then there's Ari. Armed with his Craigslist-purchased guitar and comprehensive knowledge of all things indie, he balances SAT prep with brainstorming song lyrics. His plan works - the band, after performing an impromptu rendition of "Hava Nagilah" (yes, really), becomes a hit and now they're booking gigs, and receiving classmates' adoration. But then the inevitable happens: tempers flare, creative differences abound.
Micol Ostow's So Punk Rock is part novel, part graphic novel. All great. It's an accurate look at all the cachets of indie-cool, from ironically worn "uniform" shirts, to earmarked copies of books by Murakami. Ari laments over Jonas' poor taste in music, snickering at his fondness for Fall Out Boy and other hot-for-the-moment acts. A note about the music mentioned in the novel: I always like when novels use real musician and band names, rather than inventing their own. I feel like it grounds the novel that much more in reality. With all the namedropping and musical terms, it's a mini-lesson in indie appreciation (Ari's screenname is ILikeLouReed). There's even a guide at the end of the novel to the musical and Jewish terminology.
In the midst of his need to be cool, there's another recognizable want in Ari: to live his own life. Saddled with his parents' high expectations, he hides his musical adventures even as his brother's coveting his autograph. The story of Ari dealing with the demands of parental obligations and his own life plans is a fitting background for the pitfalls of his newfound fame.
The illustrations, by the author's brother, David Ostow, both accentuate the novel and stand on their own. The panels depict the journey of The Tribe, and contain just as much wit as the text.
So Punk Rock (And Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother) is a dead-on depiction of the hipster scene paralleled with the awkward, hilarious and frustrating minefield that is teenage life.
This review originally published on BriMeetsBooks.com
arielkirst's review
5.0
Really liked this! Short and sweet, wonderful characters, a great voice. Plus I don't know anything about the Jewish culture, but it was interesting to learn about.
lucillemeeps's review
4.0
So Punk Rock is a pretty funny story about a group of jewish teens that decide to create a rock band. It seems silly, and it was silly, but it was also cute and funny, and there were really interesting little comics and pictures throughout the story. The comics made it more unique, and overall, I really enjoyed it.
stephanieisreading's review
4.0
While intended for a younger audience, "So Punk Rock" is perfectly enjoyable for adults as well. I should know. "So Punk Rock" has a wonderful mix of illustration/comic-style strips with a first person narrative and is witty & funny to boot. Perfect for a light read. :)
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